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Monday, January 18, 2016

Where Is Your Bookmark? (01/19/2016)

Although I had every intention of reading another book on my TBR pile, Jennifer Robson's Moonlight Over Paris called to me the loudest. Here is the opening from the novel as well as a couple of teasers:

Every Tuesday Diane from Bibliophile By the Sea First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, where participants share the first paragraph (or a few) of a book they are reading or thinking about reading soon.
It is also where I share my first impressions about the book I am sharing.

Belgravio, London December, 1923

Helena had heard, or perhaps she had read somewhere, that people on the point of death were insensible to pain. Enveloped in a gentle cloud of perfect tranquility, all earthly cares at an end, they simply floated into oblivion.

It was rubbish, of course, for she was in agony. Pain seized at her throat and ears, so fierce and corrosive that she could sleep only when they drugged her, and even then it chased her from one nightmare to the next. She hurt from her scalp to her fingernails to the soles of her feet, and despite that very real reminder of her state among the living, she knew the truth, too--she was dying.

Every Tuesday, Jenn from
A Daily Rhythm hosts Teaser Tuesdays at which time participants grab their current read, open to a random page, and share two (2) "teaser" sentences from that page while avoiding any spoilers.

Teaser from 4% of Moonlight Over Paris:

"I'm a woman, not a piece of spun sugar, and I am perfectly capable of making sensible decisions. You know I am . . . "

and at 36%:

For a moment she thought it might be a trick of the light, but as he moved, drying himself carefully, she knew her eyes hadn't deceived her. His back was covered with scars, the skin there mottled red and white, like a half-healed sunburn, and the marks extended down the back of his arms and beneath the waistband of his trousers as well.

What do you think? Would you keep reading?

This is my second Jennifer Robson novel, and right away I was pulled in. It is the story of a young English aristocrat who travels to Paris to attend art school and break away from her sheltered life. She pursues her dreams, makes friends among the Lost Generation and expatriates, including a Chicago Tribune journalist who had fought in the war. I love the writing and the Post World War I time period.

What are you reading at the moment? Is it anything you would recommend?

This week's Top Ten Tuesday theme is Top Ten Books I've Recently Added To My TBR Pile (inspired by Jamie's New To The Queue posts).I define TBR as being books I have on hand to read--not to be confused with wish list books, which I want but don't have copies of to read. I haven't added too many new books to my TBR pile yet this year. I have cut way back on requesting and purchasing books. So, this list represents books I have added to my TBR collection over the past couple months. Many of the titles may sound familiar to you as I have mentioned them on my blog before. Each of the covers are linked to the Goodreads page for each book in case you want to know more about the books.

1. Blackhearts by Nicole Castroman ~ Blackhearts is getting a lot of positive buzz these days, and I sure hope it lives up to the hype. This is the story of a young man and the girl he loved--and how that man became the infamous pirate Blackbeard.

2. The Cold Between by Elizabeth Bonesteel ~ This is the first in a new Science Fiction/Mystery series.

3. A Covenant With Death by Stephen Becker ~ Crime Fiction is perhaps my favorite genre, of which legal thrillers fall. This particular book is being re-released this year, having been previously published in 1964.

4. No Cure for Love by Peter Robinson ~ I haven't read much by Peter Robinson, but what I have read I have enjoyed immensely. Although I especially love mysteries set in Great Britain, I was curious how Robinson would do with an American setting.

5. Fall of Poppies: Stories of Love and the Great War~ Just looking at the list of authors who have stories included in this collection make me want to devour it on the spot. I enjoy a good love story as much as I do a war story and this collection seemed to good to pass up.

6. My Tempting Highlander by Maeve Greyson ~ This is the third in a series of which I have only read book two. While the one I read was good, I wasn't quite smitten with it. However, I was quite taken with one particular character who I just knew I wanted to know more about. It so happens he is the hero in My Tempting Highlander. I do enjoy Time travel, werewolves, and a daring romance. (Is it only me who wishes he'd pull up his jeans?)

7. The Secrets of Flight by Maggie Leffler ~ The story of an elderly woman who hires a 15-year-old girl to transcribe her memories of a young woman who took to the skies as a pilot during World War II. You can see why I couldn't resist this book. It is one I had requested in December from Edelweiss.

8. Marked in Flesh by Anne Bishop ~ I have been waiting on pins and needles for this one--the 4th book in the Others dark fantasy series. The first three books in the series wow'd be last year. I am eager to dive into Bishop's latest. I let out a squeal when I was approved to review it through NetGalley.

9. The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams ~ This is more of a loaner, sent to be via the Postal Mail Club (from from Becca Taylor). I will be reading it before the end of February and then sending it on its way again. It is about a young girl who is hoping to marry for love, but is ordered to marry her uncle instead. It has been awhile since I last read book about a cult and polygamy. This one sounds like it will be good.

10.After the War by Jennifer Robson ~ This one kind of slipped by me when it first came out. I couldn't resist purchasing a copy despite my current effort, to avoid buying books. This is the sequel to Robson's Somewhere in France, which I loved.

Have you read any of these titles? What books have you recently added to your TBR collection?

57 comments:

I hope you enjoy Fall of Poppies! I read the eARC recently and was impressed at how solid the collection was, it had a nice array of fantastic stories. I have yet to read any of Jennifer Robson's novels after reading Somewhere in France; maybe I'll look into it after my book-buying ban or something (I'm on a ban right now so I too can also control my TBR pile a bit).

Christina - Blackhearts does sound good, doesn't it? I can't wait to read it. I really enjoy Anne Bishops books, especially her Others series. I am looking forward to the fourth book. It's taking everything out of me not to dive into that one right now.

I love the cover of Moonlight over Paris (great title too) and the first paragraph sounds a little grim, but I'd keep reading. I like the timeframe and the sound of the Lost Generation/ expatriates angle.

Your teaser is very intense. Made me hurt just to read about Helena's pain from her scalp to her fingernails to the soles of her feet. Don't know what's wrong with her, but reminds me of when I've had the flu, the real flu. LOL

And I love the cover on The Secrets of Flight. That one is really appealing - story and cover.

Oh my! I have to read more. Love the title and the cover and they don't seem to go with the intro. I am reading only from my actual TBR shelf too, until April 1st. A Triple Dog Dare. But boy am I adding to my Want To Read list this week!!! You have a great selection today.

I am a fan of this era, and I love anything about expatriates, probably because my eldest son has gone that route, living in Europe primarily since the mid-nineties. We see him only now and then...sigh. But I enjoy his adventures vicariously.

I am SO jealous that you'll get to read Marked in Flesh by Anne Bishop before it's released to the public in March. I absolutely LOVE her Others series, although The Shadow Queen and Shalador's Lady are close behind it as my favorites of hers. I've read ALL her books and one of my goals this year is to get to one of her book signings!

Last week I read After the War is Over, and have put Moonlight Over Paris on hold at my local library. Glad to hear you are enjoying it.

I'm currently reading the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Mass and am getting ready to start book 4, Queen of Shadows. The teaser for the book I was reading earlier this week can be found at: http://abookaddictsview.blogspot.com/2016/01/teaser-tuesday_19.html

I haven't yet read all of Anne Bishop's books, but I would like to. I hope you enjoy Moonlight Over Paris when you read it! I haven't read anything by Sarah J. Maas before. I've heard good things about her books.

Moonlight over Paris looks intriguing, I think I already spotted it on Kimba's blog. "Blackhearts" makes me think about the series "Black sails", I just borrowed the DVD at my library but haven't watched it yet. I'd love to read Peter Robinson's books, my library has plenty of them and they're successful with the public. And I've got book #1 of Anne Bishop's series, I intend to read it with my youngest :D

Great teaser and intro paragraph and absolutely I would keep reading! Looks like you have a good read on your nightstand. I'm taking note of those recent books you've added. I haven't seen that Peter Robinson book and it's set in the US?! I really love his Inspector Banks series although I have fallen a bit behind. Must get back to them!

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At the age of five, Literary Feline (aka Wendy) was diagnosed as a fabulavore. Due to the low story content of movies and television, she has required a steady supply of books to provide her sustenance. She currently resides in California with her loving husband, adorable daughter, and two affectionate and sassy cats. Literary Feline has broadened her nutritional sources by reviewing books. Please note: Literary Feline is not a bibliovore. She's not eating the books for goodness' sake.